If you are new to the forums, you must register a free account before you can post. The forums have a separate registration from the rest of www.chronofhorse.com, so your log in information for one will not automatically work for the other. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Chronicle of the Horse.

Canter - Together Behind

I have an ongoing problem wiht a horse I have been riding that will jump together behind in the canter or doesn't leave much space behind. This typically happens more on the right lead and when he is tense. The horse is the nervouse and hot type. I thought this issue to be more of a problem caused by tension then by a lameness. Any suggestions on how to get him to separate his legs and canter with more space behind (exercises, etc.).

The horse is perfectly sound at the walk and trot. Could he have a lameness problem? Like I said, the canter is much better when he is relaxed.

I have a horse that I bought as a 3 yo and presently is showing PSG. There was a time around 3rd level that a clinician noted that he cantered close behind. Neither myself or the trainer I had at the time noticed this, I suspect because it was a gradual change and subtle. It turned out to be some mild arthritis in the R stiffle.

I have a very knowledgable vet from Tufts and he says that when the lameness is behind the hindquarters drift away from direction of the lameness (although jumpers will jump drifting TOWARDS the lameness as the sound leg pushed of the ground harder).

Interesting, Dudley: I've also heard switching behind tracking L, for example, speaks to a RH issue: as the RH is starts the stride, and holds up the whole horse for a moment, often on a circle L....hard work

It looks like his ankles are the problem. Flexed negative on hock and stifle but positive on both ankles. Had them injected so hopefully I will see improvement in 3 or 4 days. Continuing work on relaxation will help as well.

I have seen it in very young foals....and not just a momentary lapse into 'hopping' but a natural predispostion toward this gait impurity. I have also seen it with tension (mental tension-as in this is harder work than I signed up for at breakfast) and resistance to the aides (as in how dare you ask me to go forward today-puny human!). I also agree that stifles and LS or some combination of hind end problems should probably be ruled out.

Could still be orginating somewhere other than the ankles, like the SI, back or even the neck. As others have mentioned, a lameness specialist is probably not a bad idea. I dealt with this with my horse recently, and it turned out to be neck and back causing stifle and other leg issues.